'Plans against Yuvraj, Raina working'

Australia have come to India with a set of solid plans, one of which includes a fast and hostile Mitchell Johnson rattling the hosts with bouncers.

Ranked number one in the ICC ODI table, India trail the seven-match ODI series 1-2 after two games were washed out because of rain. Though Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni have been in good form, left-handed batsmen Suresh Raina and Yuvraj Singh have struggled to get going so far in the ODIs. Yuvraj, made a sensational comeback to the Indian team earlier this month, winning the Man-of-the-Match in the one-off T20 International against Australia.

However, Yuvraj's form at number five and Raina's at number four, has certainly kept the Indian thinktank worried. Neither batsman is comfortable against short-pitched bowling and Johnson's express pace and accuracy have had the two southpaws all at sea.

Former vice-captain Shane Watson revealed it was all part of a well hatched plot to make sure the power packed Indian middle order did not fire away on flat pitches.

"It's important to get our match-ups right. When we are bowling against their batsmen, we have got our match-ups right. Mitch Johnson certainly provides a big x-factor for us. There are a couple of guys who aren't as comfortable against the short ball when compared to some of their other batsmen."

That the "couple of guys" are Yuvraj and Raina is no rocket science but what is commendable is the way Johnson has been able to execute his plan on batting friendly surfaces. Both Raina and Yuvraj are powerful hitters of the cricket ball and if Johnson erred in line and length fractionally, Australia would have had a stiff price to pay.

Watson said the key to executing this plan successfully was to keep Johnson fresh and ready to steam in once the top-order made way for the middle. Johnson has not usually bowled more than three overs by the time Raina arrives at the crease before skipper George Bailey unleashes the left-arm speed ace. Johnson has so far dismissed Yuvraj with the short ball in two successive games and hurried Raina up in Mohali.

"No doubt (that has been the plan). After seeing what happened in the Twenty20 in Rajkot, especially [with] Yuvi, when we didn't get our plans exactly right to him; he is an extremely talented player. If we give him a chance to get away, he certainly hits the ball very sweet.

"And also Suresh Raina, he is a high-quality, world-class player as well so we are very lucky to have Mitch bowling with the pace and the control that he has got at this point in time. Certainly a huge weapon for us. We know how important their middle order is for their success. You have seen it work so far throughout this series. Hopefully it can continue to work for a little bit longer."

India have to win the next two games in Nagpur and Bangalore and both venues will offer enough assistance to Johnson to work on his plans. If the hosts have to come out unscathed, they will need their two senior batsmen to work around Johnson's tactics and make a statement.